A glimpse of the Egyptian Museum in Turin
Princess of Egypt by Beatrice Brandini
Turin is a mysterious city; it doesn’t reveal all its beauty immediately, but as you discover it, you gradually understand its majesty.
Egyptian Statue
Egyptian Heads
Turin is famous for many reasons: it has one of the largest automotive manufacturing centers, FIAT, with a formidable museum dedicated to cars; it is home to two legendary football teams, because besides Juventus, which I believe boasts the largest number of fans in the world, there is also Torino, or as it was called half a century ago, Il Grande Torino. The Baroque, Piazza San Carlo, the Mole Antonelliana… Then there is the Cinema Museum, which I have already mentioned and encouraged everyone to visit, and last but not least, THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, the oldest museum in the world entirely dedicated to Egyptian civilization, the second most important in the world after the one in Cairo.
Egyptian Sarcophagi
I’ve been to visit it, and although I’m not exactly a fan of that historical period, I don’t think you can help but be amazed by the quantity and quality of the artifacts. It’s a constant thought, “WOW, how wonderful!”. You enter a room and it’s even more beautiful than the last.
Detail of an Egyptian sarcophagus
Egyptian figurines
The Egyptian Museum of Turin boasts something like over a million visitors a year. It all began more than 200 years ago (1824) when Bernardino Drovetti, a diplomat with a passion for archaeology, decided to group his collections in the Palazzo del Collegio dei Nobili, effectively the first museum in the world dedicated to ancient Egypt and the most important abroad after its counterpart in Cairo, which opened in 1902.
Cat Sarcophagus
Detail of an Egyptian bas-relief
The Egyptian Museum of Turin boasts a collection of over 40,000 artifacts, housed in a 12,000-square-meter exhibition space. The story of its director, Christian Greco, is equally remarkable. He took the position in 2013 after responding to a job offer while still working as an archaeologist in Sudan. He is an example of passion and courage, a role model for young people to believe they can achieve their dreams.
A magnificent Egyptian Sphinx
Egyptian statue
Equally beautiful is the story of its president, Evelina Christillin, who in just a few years transformed the Museum from a small, important local institution to an international showcase, not only by growing a staff that now numbers 75, but also by exporting exhibitions worldwide and putting the company’s finances back on track. An example, finally, of how culture can generate wealth.
Votive statuettes
View of the display case at the Egyptian Museum of Turin
In short, I recommend visiting it at least once in your life (since one day isn’t enough). It’s truly a wonderful experience, a journey through over 4,000 years of history. Egypt, much like Ancient Greece, is part of our collective imagination, thanks in part to unforgettable films and fascinating readings about art history. Statues, papyrus, sarcophagi, mummies, and artifacts from everyday life will be your traveling companions for a few hours, and the often immersive rooms are designed to make visitors feel like archaeologists.
Statue of Amun and Pharaoh Horemheb
The exhibition concludes with a room that will leave you literally speechless: the Gallery of Kings, featuring the statue of Seti II. This room has been redesigned thanks to Dante Ferretti (internationally renowned set designer), where mirrors and soft lighting, along with monumental statues, conclude a journey full of wonder and amazement.
Glimpses of the Mole Antonelliana
Enjoy your life, everyone!
Beatrice